Protectors and Kings (Mists of the Fae Book 4)

by Jaime Marks

  Michael rubbed his jaw. “You have always been a free agent from what I’m told Atlyion. It appears you’ve dealt with Jaz and Fury in the past. I find that amusing considering how close Jaz was to Byryn.”

  “Jaz was cool, we got along alright until he pissed off your Father. Fury and I have had mutual goals in the past. I do what suits me. It’s as simple as that. I don’t give a fuck if you’re Brood, warriors, hell you could be a fucking slave for all I care. As long as it gets me what I want I’ll deal with you. Right now what I want is the girl you’ve been promised which makes me your new best friend. Next week,” John shrugged. “Who the fuck knows?”

  “At least you’re honest,” Michael smirked. “Fine. We’re setting up three locations that Dracyn a Crytos was able to pinpoint as potential targets. Bearringer’s, Holmestead, and Sawyer’s Home. I’m told Tomas a Alayne has recently returned from the realm. See if he can narrow it down further. Alayne has already demanded our cooperation so we’ll work together to get you in and set up what you need to get back out safely with your targets. We’ve already taken some steps to get extra support in there.”

  John slashed his hand across the palm and extended it. “Felycia for Steph. I want your word.”

  Michael stared at it a minute but pulled his dagger and followed suit before clasping his hand. “Summon me once you have the information we need but don’t waste time. I believe they mean to move within the next two days.”

  He waited until the Shade was gone. “What the fuck are you doing, John? My Grandfather will fucking kill us for even making a deal with them. You know they’re not just gonna turn Byryn over to Alayne. It’s a death sentence and they want the fucker back.”

  “I know and I don’t give a fuck. As far as Syneous and Alayne know we’re using them to accomplish our goals. They’ll see it as initiative. Once the fallout clears we’ll see which side comes out on top and figure out where to go from there. Come on. Let’s go to the apartment and get this meeting over with,” John reasoned. “We need to find out which group home we need to be at to make this happen.”

  He couldn’t let the Brood take Star any more than he could let Alayne have her. John knew he was obsessed with her, though he thought Kyle only wanted her for himself. Still he was willing to serve her up to get to Steph just like he knew he would. It was clear he wouldn’t be able to tell him the truth and even if he did he couldn’t count on him. He’d just use her as leverage over Alayne to get what he wanted.

  As usual when it came to Steph, John wasn’t thinking clearly. The fucker wouldn’t listen to him and it was liable to get them both killed. Of course he had no idea what Staryana was or even that she was the primary target in all this and why. If he did he might be a bit more cautious but there was no way in hell he could risk telling him, mentor or not. Shit, everything was piling up and he wasn’t sure how to manage it. There had to be some way to protect her, even if it cost him his life in the process.

  Kato entered the Hall of the Order of Light. He and Demytria had stopped by the Palace after settling into their quarters but Chandreyia, the King’s attendant, had informed them that the King was seeking an audience at the Order. He had left Demytria to gather the items she had decided she wanted to take back to the Palace of Lunya upon their return. She was unaware but her guards were right outside their quarters in the event of issue. He was not about to risk her safety now that he had her back though he knew she was more than capable of handling herself.

  In time he may be more lenient but he was still adjusting to the fact that she could manage such risks. They had sparred daily and he found her a formidable adversary. Few would be able to best her but if the Shade decided to reclaim her and came in number even she would fall alone. Still, if she knew how he had her looked after she would likely be highly upset and feel as though he either did not trust her or did not have faith in her abilities. It was something he had to find a way to manage in himself.

  The King knelt before the seal of Lucerna. It was a golden sun that brightly reflected the Light that emanated from lantern like fixtures throughout the room. He approach quietly and knelt beside him.

  “I am surprised to see you here, Kato.” Mythos spoke quietly but the concern in his voice was obvious. “Is everything alright?”

  “It is my lord, but I felt it was necessary to seek more information regarding the Lady Steph a Ceryn.” When the King’s head shot up in alarm he quickly added, “She is fine Mythos, she simply exhibited some unique abilities during her training session. I felt it would be prudent to seek more information regarding her masking and measures taken to protect her prior to continuing.”

  Mythos lowed his head once more and remained quiet a moment. Kato could sense his turmoil, however. “What sort of abilities, Kato?”

  “She fought using the Luxyndi Forms and techniques. She even asserted her Light using it to guide her in battle and inhibit Byryn. It was sheer instinct, however. She became lost to it. Marcus ordered her to hold but she did not respond, did not even hear him, but Cymeryn cleverly ordered Dysteno and she responded immediately. He and Byryn were able to call her out of it without issue.”

  “Is she…is she alright, Kato? I am sure she is safe and well, but how is she handling this?” His voice cracked slightly.

  “She was well enough to calmly tell Grifyn to stop treating her like such a child,” Kato laughed and noticed the pleased smile that spread across the King’s face. “She did scare herself, Mythos. She is unsure what is happening to her and we do not have answers for her really. Cymeryn had a theory that she has access to the ancestral knowledge of her line. He believes that by bringing her into this world we have begun to unleash abilities that were put in place to protect her. We need to understand more of how she was masked in order to better understand what is happening. She was feeling overwhelmed but Byryn and Star took her on a picnic in the woods. I believe it will help her to relax.”

  “Good, she needs that normalcy,” Mythos nodded.

  There was a flash of Light and Alysse appeared before them. She was a tall, thin Fae with long white and silver hair that often flowed around her as if caught on some gentle breeze. She wore white robing that was conservative but attractive giving her an heir of royalty. The almost white irises of her eyes emitted a soft white Light that danced when she spoke. “You may rise King Mythos a Mythion, High Councilman Kato a Kacyion of the Forest Fae.”

  They stood before her silently. Alysse was a fickle Fae. As she generally had restrictions on the information she was allowed to convey and knew the minds of those to whom she granted audience she deplored questions. Asking her too many would often mean an end to the session.

  “In regards to your concerns with the effects Redemption will have on the Order my lord, you need not worry. Admission shall not be denied to the Fae of Gray. Security is another matter, however. I am not prepared to allow random guards to rotate through our sacred halls, but I am willing to discuss allowing a separate small contingent of the Securine to oversee security of the Hall of the Order of Light as a whole with Praefect Cymeryn.”

  It was not a surprise that she knew of Cymeryn and Kato’s appointments. She was granted the full knowledge of the race and was indeed the keeper of its histories. It was why only she could answer the questions they had regarding the Cerulyion Line and Steph.

  Kato studied her in silence. In truth her attributes more resembled that of the Gray than that of the Fae. It was curious really. He had never known her to look as anything but thus.

  “Very perceptive, High Councilman Kato. I am indeed the first of the Fae of Gray, Redeemed as you call it by the Goddess Lunya herself in her ethereal state. The blood bonds of twins are great and difficult to deny. Alayne did indeed covet my conversion to Shade. My bond to my Mother, Lucerna, was greater however. Over time Alayne was beginning to Taint my Light. In order to protect me, and the balance, I was Redeemed preventing me from turning.” She inclined her head, “I am ever grateful to the Lady Lunya to this
day.”

  They both gaped at her. It was a shock to learn that the Gray had been among them all this time and they had never known. Then again, it would not have served to protect Lunya in any of her previous incarnations had it been common knowledge. It would also mean that Alysse had every bit as much to lose if Reyana or Staryana were to fall to Darkness.

  She seemed to ignore their confusion and thoughts and continued on with her intended course of discussion. “The Securine will not be allowed free reign to roam these halls. The integrity of the Order must be upheld and the halls themselves are safe from being breached. It is the general grounds and the safety of the Priests and Priestesses I am concerned for.”

  “I will discuss the need and restrictions with the Praefect and endeavor to have something in place before the end of this lunar cycle, High Priestess,” Mythos bowed.

  She nodded. “Indeed. As far as the Cerulyion Line of Lucerna to which you have both come seeking knowledge. The Protector of Night is indeed perceptive. A request was put forth to the Lady Lucerna to protect the line from extinction. After the raids and battle ceased only two remained. Ceryn a Cerulyion and his young, Stephynia. She was born in truth the day most of her brethren fell. Lucerna was so enraged that the Shade would be so emboldened to attempt decimation of one of her lines outright that she granted the babe great power. All the strength and knowledge of her line was granted to her and to protect her, she was masked by the Divine Being. Her Father however, wished nothing more for her than a normal human existence away from the war and death that had brought him so much pain. It was decreed by the Divine Being that her human side would be dominant. Should she never encounter the Fae or the Shade she would have grown and died as simply human. The more essence she interacts with however the more her own essence will surge to the forefront shifting her dominance to Fae. Bringing her into our world directly is causing it to surge to the surface unlocking her innate abilities before the knowledge can surface.”

  She turned from them and stared at the seal of Lucerna. “She must be carefully protected until her knowledge catches up to her essence. Her body is in a high state of acceleration by design. There is a secret that she holds that Alayne will go to great lengths to keep hidden. If he realizes the truth of her lineage and her ability to tap into the memories of her ancestors he will stop at nothing to either obtain her or destroy her. He has already begun to suspect there is more to the girl than he realized as he stood over her bed.”

  Kato looked to Mythos as he paled. The King had never been shaken but the knowledge of the High Priest of the Shade being so close to her in such an intimately vulnerable location seemed more than he could bear.

  “Be at ease, my lord, he did not harm her. He was not even physically there but merely projected himself in an effort to manipulate her mind into surrendering to his son, Syneous. Her instincts protected her and her mind is resistant to the manipulations of the Shade. His visit is what began to unlock the lady’s ability so quickly. It is a defense mechanism. Unawakened are not strong enough to evoke the trigger, but interaction with any full Shade would force her warrior prowess and the subconscious knowledge of battle to the forefront of her mind allowing instinct to take over. Pushing herself in battle, attempting skills beyond her knowledge set, or direct interaction with Shade Dark essence will all trigger her defensive abilities. King Cymeryn has formulated the appropriate training to correct the break down between her conscious and subconscious mind.”

  Kato debated if asking about Ceryn would overstep with the High Priestess, but surely if he were alive he would choose to be here with his young.

  “You should well know by now that if I could answer that question I would have Kato a Kacyion.”

  He bowed his head. “Forgive me, my lady, he was my friend. I only have concern for he and his young.”

  “Indeed. You would do well to remember that the Lady Stephynia possesses the knowledge and memory of the whole of her line in addition to her own experiences. Regardless of her age she is no child, nor has she been in quite a while. Her age of reason shall approach far more quickly than you suspect.”

  She turned to face Mythos directly. “Lucerna has tasked you, Lord Mythos, with the protection of the Lady Stephynia a Ceryn of the Cerulyion Line, though the Lines of Lucerna may indeed assist you as you must still see to the Kingdom of Light. Lucerna has heard your decree. Stephynia is indeed your Caria, as she was always meant to be. She was meant for you from the day of her conception. It is why you bore the burden of the Cerulyion Line so heavily. Your very soul felt her loss for she was indeed lost to the Fae until the moment she set foot into the Realm of Balance.”

  Mythos had flushed slightly but otherwise remained composed. Kato could not help but smirk. It was rare indeed to see the King so flustered. His lord’s intentions had been revealed despite himself, not that his reactions alone did not foretell such things.

  Alysse stretched out her arm. “Your hand your majesty,” she requested.

  Mythos reached out his arm opening his hand palm up and a scroll appeared. He closed his hand around it and studied it a moment.

  “This will detail the changes necessary to complete the Bonding Rituals of the Queen and the Kings of Balance. It contains two separate wordings so that to could be presented either as a bonding of love, or coronation. It should allow you the leeway you seek. Only you may perform the ceremony, if you need the assistance of another the Lady Stephynia is the only other of pure Light that has the ability.”

  The King bowed his head and placed the scroll in his robes.

  “When the future Queen’s awakening begins to present itself, my lord, seek my counsel once more…provided of course you have followed the proper formalities by then.” She bowed low. “Be well, Lord Mythos a Mythion, High Councilman Kato a Kacyion.”

  They bowed as the High Priestess misted from the room. Mythos rose and walked from the hall as Kato fell in beside him trying to digest everything that had taken place.

  “Will you be returning to the Realm of Balance now, Kato?” Mythos requested as they walked.

  “Not quite yet, my lord. I left Demytria in our quarters. Cymeryn granted us leave until morn.” He responded casually as he studied the King. “In truth, we need the time. We thought that we might join you for meal this eve if you did not have other plans.”

  “Of course, it would be a pleasure, Kato. I could use the company. The Palace of Light has become too quiet,” Mythos conceded.

  “Apparently not for much longer, my lord?” Kato mused gaging his friend’s reaction.

  “Mind yourself Kato, I have not even made a Declaration of Courting,” Mythos replied remaining his usually reserved self.

  Studying the King he chose his words carefully. “You should at least talk to Grifyn, Mythos. Your silence is causing issue. After the incident during her training we escorted her to her quarters. She had attracted quite a crowd and we felt it was necessary to assert that she is not only of the Lines of Lucerna but also under our protection. When we reached her quarters and it became clear we would not leave her alone she went directly to your sitting room. Grifyn tried to redirect her but interestingly, Byryn came to her defense claiming that he was there when you told her she had free reign of the suite in your absence. He has suddenly became very protective of the girl.” He mused awaiting his reaction. He suspected he had tasked the boy to watch over her in his stead.

  “I did give her permission to use the suite. It serves no purpose to restrict her,” Mythos shrugged. “Byryn was present. He simply repeated the truth.”

  “Indeed, but Grifyn feels you forget propriety. He does not want either of your actions to give the appearance that Steph’s honor has been taken tarnishing her status. It is something you should also bear in mind if indeed you intend to make her your Queen someday, Mythos.” Let alone the fact that the Goddess of Light had all but decreed her the future Queen, Kato thought. Perhaps, however, pressing that issue would not help his cause.

 
The King seemed hesitant a moment. “I do not wish to rush her, Kato. I feel as though my very presence does that enough without making a formal declaration that will all but name her the Queen of the Fae. There will be pressure enough upon her by her birthright as Cerulyion.”

  “Then make an informal one, my lord. Only the family need know. It will grant you the rights to pursue her and Grifyn the means to justify any questions brought against her should they occur” Kato offered.

  “I will consider it. It is obvious I will be unable to keep my feelings hidden. Even Alysse seems determined to reveal me.” Mythos sighed in frustration, his shoulders tense and his form stiff. “Being away from her is…difficult, but necessary. She needs time to adapt to this life, to find herself in it, my friend and I mean to see that she has it.”

  “It is understandable, but at the same time, you are who she seeks comfort from. Star may be able to ease her somewhat, but only with coaxing. When she was feeling lost today she went directly to your favored seat and curled up there, her arms wrapped about herself.” He shook his head, “It is true this is new and confusing for her, but it is just as true that you make it bearable. You give her the strength and courage to face this as well as the bridge she needs to make the connection to the rest of us.”

  Mythos brow arced as he glanced over. “I had not considered it in that respect. I will think on it, Kato.”

  They arrived at the Palace grounds, her wall of gold coated brick stretching out along the perimeter with turrets jutting out at regular intervals that housed Guardians. Homes to the Lines of Lucerna and the families of their mates that were once full and robust with life now stood mostly empty. Only a handful were left housing the lines of their mates in comparison to their youth. The Kacyion Lines were here in the back quadrant near Kato’s home and the Sergion, Havryion, and Lycarion Lines remained but they were all small in number. An offer had been made to the Natryn Lines as of Trina and Grifyn’s Bonding, but they had only just begun making preparations to move onto the grounds. Grifyn was coming over later in the month to assist them with getting settled.